Millennials. Lately, that seems to be all people talk about. Either they’re ruining the world, or they’re running the world. So who are they really? Let’s clarify.

Millennials are the generation of people born from 1980 to 2000. They are entering the workplace and establishing themselves within it and most people don’t know how to handle that. As a millennial myself, it saddens me to see that professionals in the workplace view my generation as lazy, uninterested, and capable of ruining everything.

It’s true, every generation looks at the next generation and shakes their head, calls them lazy, and believes they won’t amount to much. But why wouldn’t we encourage the next generation, instead of degrading them?

For the past 6 months, I’ve had the immense privilege of being an intern at Tech Wildcatters in Dallas where I’ve been inspired to work harder, encouraged to be the best I can be, and learned a great deal about myself and what I, as a millennial, seek in a job.

This is a list of characteristics millennials possess that you can use to get the most out of the young people in your workplace.

Unafraid of Change

Millennials have grown up in an era of fast-paced change. When most of them were born, cellphones weren’t even a thing yet and they were the first to have access to the Internet during their formative years. Millennials have adapted to a lifestyle that seems to be in fast forward. In the workplace, they can adapt to most anything you give them. If you need them to be able to work in a fast paced environment, they can do it. If you want them to slow down, they can do that too. They are great multitaskers, as they have spent their lives juggling many things at once.

Meaningful Work

Millennials want to know that all their work is not for nothing. If you have a group of interns that don’t seem to be engaged, it might be because they don’t see the purpose behind the tasks you’ve given them. Communication is key! Let the millennials in your workplace know that what they're doing does contribute to the bigger picture and that it’s greatly appreciated. Once they know that the work they do is important, they’ll want to go above and beyond!

Corporate Culture

Millennials desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Statistics show that they are highly involved in their communities and want to make an impact on society. They value their families and have close relationships with their parents. In the work world, this translates to millennials wanting to develop close relationships with their coworkers. They will thrive when given the opportunity to enjoy the company of the people they work with.

Always Learning

Millennials look for inspiration in all places. They place great value in creativity and learning. Allow them to ask questions and mentor them as they grow into who they’re going to be as a professional in the workplace. As I mentioned before, they aren’t afraid of change. With their thirst for learning, and their passion for creativity, they firmly believe that they can achieve great things. When they feel like their passions are supported, they really will be able to reach new heights.

I’m proud to be a millennial! I’m excited to see what my generation can accomplish in the present and in the future.